TYNGSBORO -- As the Greater Lowell Tech School Committee continues to evaluate candidates for superintendent, one candidate's alleged criminal past has been a point of discussion and disagreement among some members.

At their monthly meeting Thursday night, they discussed an update to its policy of conducting Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reviews of staff in light of Roger D. Forget Jr.'s disclosed arrest.

Last December, Forget, principal of Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Bourne, allegedly pushed his estranged wife in the chest in a heated argument and was charged with domestic assault and battery. The charges were dismissed after the victim "asserted her marital" privilege to not testify against her husband. She also obtained and then dropped a restraining order against him, telling officials she didn't want her husband to lose his job, according to a police report obtained by The Sun.

Member Raymond Boutin said he is very concerned about Forget's history and statements made by Forget's wife to police in the report, which allege he had additional restraining orders against him.

On Thursday, Boutin said he wanted to bring up the issue of CORI reviews because there's no standing policy regarding reviews of the superintendent, who is tasked with reviewing all personnel's CORI status. Boutin said there's no policy stating someone should conduct a review of the superintendent, which members agreed should under the School Committee's authority.

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Boutin said he would also like for committee members to review all three superintendent candidates' "CORIs" in executive session before holding open interviews and taking a vote Oct. 28.

Vice Chairman George O'Hare said after the meeting Forget's history has to be considered in the process, stating he'd preferably like to hire someone with a "clean slate. "

Member Erik Gitschier said he was upset his colleagues continued to bring up the subject, stating Forget is receiving "unfair treatment."

"We're in a society where people can allege anything," Gitschier said. "Why would a person apply for a job if he knew this was going to come out if he was guilty? You know, I don't now. I wasn't there. ... We have to be open-minded."

Boutin and Gitschier got into a disagreement after his remarks, with Boutin stating members are within their rights to ask questions.

A home phone number for Forget could not be found Thursday night before press deadline. He previously told The Sun, in response to the committee's remarks, that he was not found guilty in the case and said, "I'm a father of six daughters."

Gitschier noted Forget received a solid recommendation from the Cape Cod school's committee, the superintendent, the school-resource officer and several parents. He noted Forget has offered for his wife to provide a letter of recommendation.

Interim Superintendent Jack Jones told the committee he would pursue Boutin's suggestion of setting up a CORI policy for the school superintendent, and reach out to other districts for their input as well.

Jones assumed his post in August after former superintendent Mary Jo Santoro did not seek an extension of her contract in June. The School Committee is seeking to have her replacement by Jan. 1, at an advertised salary of somewhere between $155,000 and $175,000, according to Boutin. Members previously reached an impasse in their search when two candidates came before them in the summer.

The two other candidates vying for the job are Roger Bourgeois, an assistant technical/vocational superintendent for the Boston Public Schools, and Denise O'Loughlin, former director of vocational programs at Blue Hills Regional Technical School, and a former assistant superintendent at Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford. The three candidates are set to conclude their on-site visits of the Greater Lowell Tech School this week.

Chairman Paul Morin and member Victor Olson were absent from Thursday night's meeting.

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